Start ransomware (Tutorial) - Virus Removal Guide

What is Start ransomware?

Start ransomware – a new form of Dharma ransomware that displays a ransom-demanding pop-up named starter@cumallover.me

Start ransomware is a file-encrypting malware form that is a new version of Dharma ransomware

Start ransomware, also known as [Starter@cumallover.me].Start ransomware, is a newly released Dharma ransomware variant that has been first spotted and announced by Jakub Kroustek.^[1] He created a Twitter post regarding this new malware variant and provided a VirusTotal hyperlink where the malicious payload has been detected by 57 AV engines out of a total 70.^[2] Once files are locked by Start virus, they end up with the .[starter@cumallover.me].start appendix. Continuously, the ransomware displays the starter@cumallover.me pop-up window or the RETURN FILES.txt message which holds information regarding ransom demands and the decryption software.

Start ransomware does not provide particular demands although the money has to be transferred in Bitcoin cryptocurrency in order to ensure the anonymity of the entire process. This decreases the crook's chances of getting caught. However, this also means that the victims will not be able to return their money back also.

Usually, criminals demand a ransom between $100 and $2000 in BTC. However, Start ransomware only offers to send them one small file for free decryption as evidence of the decryption key's existence, provides information on how to get Bitcoins. and threatens the victims not to try self-decrypting data or it might get permanently destroyed:

All your files have been encrypted!
All your files have been encrypted due to a security problem with your PC. If you want to restore them, write us to the e-mail starter@cumallover.me
Write this ID in the title of your message
In case of no answer in 24 hours write us to these e-mails: starter@cumallover.me
You have to pay for decryption in Bitcoins. The price depends on how fast you write to us. After payment we will send you the decryption tool that will decrypt all your files.
Free decryption as guarantee
Before paying you can send us up to 1 file for free decryption. The total size of files must be less than 1Mb (non archived), and files should not contain valuable information. (databases,backups, large excel sheets, etc.)
How to obtain Bitcoins
The easiest way to buy bitcoins is LocalBitcoins site. You have to register, click ‘Buy bitcoins’, and select the seller by payment method and price.
https://localbitcoins.com/buy_bitcoins
Also you can find other places to buy Bitcoins and beginners guide here:
http://www.coindesk.com/information/how-can-i-buy-bitcoins/
Attention!
Do not rename encrypted files.
Do not try to decrypt your data using third party software, it may cause permanent data loss.
Decryption of your files with the help of third parties may cause increased price (they add their fee to our) or you can become a victim of a scam.

Start ransomware is a tricky threat that might hold various infectious modules in its database. This means that the virus might be able to delete Shadow Volume Copies^[3] by executing specific PowerShell commands, damaging the Windows hosts file to prevent access to security-related websites and forums.

Besides, Start ransomware places suspicious entries and files in the Windows Task Manager and Registry sections. Also, you might discover random executable files in directories such as %AppData% and %LocalAppData%. Remember that all of this content needs to be wiped during the Start ransomware removal process.

If you do not eliminate all the dangerous products injected, Start ransomware might renew itself within the next computer boot process. Additionally, the malicious infection can result in the infiltration of other malware such as trojans, worms, cryptocurrency mining apps, spyware programs, and other types of computer viruses.

Start ransomware has been designed to attack the most used Windows computer systems such as Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10. Regarding the language which is used in the ransom note, the file-encrypting malware targets English-speaking people or users that are located in English-speaking countries.

Start ransomware virus is a dangerous malware form that might delete Shadow Copies of encrypted data to harden the decryption process for vcitims

If you do not remove Start ransomware on time, you will have to face lots of damaging consequences, including an increasing amount of encrypted files. Additionally, you should try using FortectIntego after the elimination process as this tool might be capable of fixing virus leftover files. Note that it cannot decrypt encrypted files as it is not a decrypter. For that, keep up with StopDecrypter updates.

Keep in mind that you should avoid paying any ransom to Start ransomware criminals as you might get easily scammed by these people and have to face huge monetary losses. Even though there is no official decryption tool released yet, you can try some other data recovery solutions that are added to the end of this article.

The most common ransomware distribution sources

Ransomware infections get through vulnerable RDPs that hold weak passwords or none at all. Hackers misuse ports such as the TCP port 3389 and remotely connect to the targeted computer system to plant the malicious payload.

Also, some cyber criminals get involved in email spam campaigns and camouflage as reliable shipping companies, e.g. FedEx/DHL, or reputable banking organizations, healthcare firms, etc. These people attach malicious files or insert infectious hyperlinks that are supposed to launch the ransomware payload.

Furthermore, malware can get easily distributed through unsecured p2p networks such as The Pirate Bay, by installing fake software updates, various software cracks, infected hyperlinks/advertisements, exploit kits, etc.

Use manual and automatical protection to avoid ransomware attacks

There are more measures for avoiding ransomware infections than you might think of. First of all, get a reliable antimalware product that will guard your computer system 24/7. Do not be afraid to invest in a trustworthy program that will be able to scan your machine regularly, provide safe browsing, and threat detection.

Continuously, you should learn how to correctly sort out all of your emails. First, always check the sender and it looks like a non-existing email address, better delete the message right away. Furthermore, look for grammar mistakes through the entire message text and if you find lots of them, you can be sure that no reliable company will make that much.

Additionally, if you receive any clipped attachments, you should scan each file or document with an antimalware product to ensure that the content is safe for opening or downloading. To continue, you should pay a lot of attention to what types of networks you are visiting as some of them might include malicious objects due to the lack of protection in them.

Furthermore, keep all of your programs regularly updated, especially your antivirus software. Do not get tricked by fake updates as you can check their original releases on official websites and see if it is a true upgrade you are about to make.

Start malware - ransomware that has been detected by 57 AV engines out of a total 70

Removal of Start ransomware explained in details

Start ransomware removal can be performed only automatically. According to computer specialists from LesVirus.fr,^[4] manual elimination is not possible in this case as it is too dangerous to take the entire process in your own hands as you might skip crucial components and leave the malware in the system.

You can remove Start ransomware with the help of SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner, or Malwarebytes. Once you do so, you need to be sure that no malicious products are left in the system. For this purpose, try using software such as FortectIntego, as the malware might be able to corrupt registry entries and similar components.

Additionally, if Start virus appears hard to remove because it is blocking antivirus access or something else important, you should enable Safe Mode with Networking or activate System Restore to prevent malicious processes from spreading further on your Windows computer.